Young Warriors frozen out in Moscow

SAM Vesty admits Worcester were bogged down in Moscow to become the latest big scalp for Enisei-STM.

Josh Adams and Derrick Appiah both scored but the young Warriors – who included five debutants – were always on the back foot against the Russians.

Vesty, Worcester’s standin head coach for Europe, said: “We’re frustrated and disappointed because it was a tough game but one that we could have won.

“It was a boggy, narrow pitch that suited their big pack that included plenty of Russian internationals. When they got their power game going, we couldn’t cope. It’s a huge learning experience for this young team.”

Ironically Enisei had to travel further from Krasnoyark for this re-arranged fixture in Moscow than Worcester, but the ‘hosts’ were still hopeful of adding to previous wins in this tournament over Newcastle and Brive.

The boot of fly-half Iurii Kushnarev was instrumental in setting the stage for victory as he kicked three penalties and converted a first half try from centre David Kacharava.

Worcester got back into it with a try from wing Adams, which Jamie Shillcock converted, to leave the game 10-7 at the break.

Kushnarev nudged the Russians further ahead before Worcester scored through prop Appiah while Dmitrii Gerasimov was in the sin-bin for Enisei. But it mattered little as Ramil Gaisin’s drop- goal steered the Russsians to victory.